Loupe-based intraoperative fluorescence imaging device for the guidance of tumor resection

Abstract

This application concerns a loupe-based wearable device that is enhanced by a mounted visualization aid on the housing body of at least one of the loupe eyepieces, the aid providing a dual light source, a beam splitter, and a camera directed in the same optical path as a user's eyesight such that both visible light and fluorescent dye exciting light can be directed at a site of operation to enhance real time visualization of tissue resection.

1 . A loupe-based surgical device for fluorescent and visible light visualization of tissue resection, comprising:
 a. at least one loupe housing body, adapted for wearing on the head of a user, with a magnifying lens placed therein to allow a user to view a target tissue area of a subject; and   b. a mounted visualization aid on the at least one loupe housing body, the aid comprising a dual light source, a beam splitter, and a camera, wherein the dual light source and camera are oriented to substantially focus upon the same field of view of the target tissue after passing through the beam splitter.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a zoom lens and an optional filter between the camera and the beam splitter. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the camera is connected to a computer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising hinged filters at the viewing end of the loupe housing body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the hinged filters also comprises ND filter films. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dual light source emits individually or simultaneously visible light and a wavelength of light to excite a fluorescent dye. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the dual light source is connected to a control unit that is optionally connected to a foot pedal. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the wavelength of light is selected to excite a fluorescent protein selected from a group consisting of indocyanine 5-ALA, methylene blue, green (ICG), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), Tetramethylrhodamine Isothiocyanate (TRITC), cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), wild-type green fluorescent protein (WTGFP), green fluorescent protein (GFP), fluorescein isothiocyanate, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), Texas Red (TXRED) and cycanine (CY3.5). 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lens between the dual light source and the beam splitter. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A loupe-based surgical device for fluorescent and visible light visualization of tissue resection, comprising:
 at least one loupe housing body, adapted for wearing on the head of a user, with a lens carried thereon to allow a user to view a target tissue area of the tissue resection; and   a dual light source also adapted to wear on the head of the user, the dual light source including (a) a visible light source adapted for illuminating the target tissue area with visible light and (b) an excitation light source adapted for exciting a fluorescent dye in the target tissue area and causing the fluorescent dye to emit a fluorescent light in the visible light range viewable through the lens by the user.   
     
     
         12 . A loupe-based surgical device for fluorescent and visible light visualization of tissue resection, comprising:
 at least one loupe housing body, adapted for wearing on the head of a user, with a lens carried thereon to allow a user to view a target tissue area of the tissue resection;   a dual light source also adapted to wear on the head of the user, the dual light source including (a) a visible light source adapted for illuminating the target tissue area with visible light and (b) an excitation light source adapted for exciting a fluorescent dye in the target tissue area and causing the fluorescent dye to emit a fluorescent light in the visible light range viewable through the lens by the user;   an optical filter carried on the at least one eye loupe;   a camera carried on the at least one eye loupe; and   a beam splitter carried on the at least one eye loupe wherein the optical filter is positioned between the camera and the beam splitter.   
     
     
         13 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the dual light source includes a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         14 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the dual light source includes a xenon light source. 
     
     
         15 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the dual light source includes a light emitting diode and a xenon light source. 
     
     
         16 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein a wavelength of the excitation light is selected to excite a fluorescent protein selected from a group consisting of indocyanine 5-ALA, methylene blue, green (ICG), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), Tetramethylrhodamine Isothiocyanate (TRITC), cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), wild-type green fluorescent protein (WTGFP), green fluorescent protein (GFP), fluorescein isothiocyanate, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), Texas Red (TXRED) and cycanine (CY3.5). 
     
     
         17 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the lens is (a) a magnifying lens, (b) a zoom lens or (c) a magnifying lens and a zoom lens. 
     
     
         18 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the dual light source is connected to a control unit that is optionally connected to a foot pedal. 
     
     
         19 . The loupe-based surgical device of  claim 12 , wherein said filter comprises ND filter.